Elder Jin's private residence stood apart from the other buildings in the Falling Leaf Sect—a testament to his status and power. Its sweeping eaves and intricately carved pillars depicted scenes of legendary cultivators conquering demons and ascending to immortality. Lian Wei had only seen it from a distance before, gray-robed disciples being unwelcome in the vicinity of elders' quarters.
Now, as he was escorted through the ornate front gates, he couldn't help but compare the lavish surroundings to the cramped, drafty servants' quarters where he had spent the last three years. The contrast was stark—polished jade floors instead of rough wooden planks, glowing spirit stones illuminating the halls instead of tallow candles, the air perfumed with rare incense rather than the sharp smell of cheap soap and sweat.
*Multiple spirit formations detected. Purpose: surveillance, energy containment, and offensive capabilities. Recommend extreme caution.*
The Archaeon Archive's warning only confirmed what Lian Wei already sensed—this place was a beautiful trap. Elder Jin's two disciples flanked him as Jin Cao led the way, their expressions impassive but their postures ready to react at the slightest provocation. Behind them all, Elder Jin walked with unhurried confidence, like a spider allowing a fly to venture deeper into its web.
They entered a spacious study lined with bookshelves containing texts far more valuable than anything in the outer disciples' library. At the center stood a massive desk carved from a single piece of spirit wood, its surface inlaid with formation diagrams in silver and gold.
"Sit," Elder Jin commanded, gesturing to a simple wooden stool before the desk—the only plain piece of furniture in the room, deliberately uncomfortable and low to the ground.
Lian Wei obeyed, keeping his expression neutral despite the growing knot of tension in his stomach. The cloth bag containing the fragments seemed to burn against his chest. If they searched him now, everything would be over.
Elder Jin settled into an imposing chair behind the desk, while Jin Cao took a position at his father's right hand. The two escort disciples remained by the door, effectively blocking the only exit.
"Do you know why you're here, Disciple Wei?" Elder Jin asked, his voice deceptively gentle.
"I assume it concerns the theft from the South Repository, Elder," Lian Wei replied carefully.
"Indeed." The elder steepled his fingers. "A strange business. Items of apparently little value taken in the night. Yet the timing interests me greatly."
Lian Wei remained silent, waiting.
"You see," Elder Jin continued, "my son happened to observe you entering that very repository last night, in the company of Master Archivist Zhu." His cold eyes fixed on Lian Wei's face, watching for any reaction. "Quite a coincidence, wouldn't you say?"
So Jin Cao had been spying on him. The pieces fell into place—the inner disciple had followed him, witnessed his meeting with Old Man Zhu, and reported everything to his father. But why would an elder take such interest in worthless fragments?
*Recommendation: Partial truth. Concealment will increase suspicion. Elder Jin's knowledge parameters unknown but extensive.*
"It's no coincidence, Elder," Lian Wei admitted, deciding to follow the Archive's advice. "Master Zhu did show me some items in the South Repository last night."
A flicker of surprise crossed Jin Cao's face—clearly, he hadn't expected such ready admission.
"And why would the master archivist show a failing outer disciple ancient relics?" Elder Jin asked, his tone sharpening slightly.
This was the dangerous ground. How much did Jin Cao overhear? How much should he reveal?
"Master Zhu knows of my interest in historical artifacts," Lian Wei said carefully. "In my spare time, I've helped him catalog some of the older texts in the archives. He wanted my opinion on some stone fragments he'd collected."
"Your opinion?" Jin Cao scoffed. "What could a gray-robe possibly know that would interest Master Zhu?"
Lian Wei turned his gaze to the inner disciple. "I may be failing at cultivation, but I have other skills. Master Zhu values knowledge in all its forms."
"Enough," Elder Jin raised a hand, silencing his son. "These stone fragments. Describe them."
"Broken pieces of an ancient stele," Lian Wei replied truthfully. "Most were heavily damaged, the inscriptions barely legible. Master Zhu believed they predated the Great Fracturing."
"And what opinion did you offer on these... historical curiosities?"
"That the script appeared to be a variant of early cultivation notation, possibly describing meridian pathways no longer in common use," Lian Wei said, choosing his words with extreme care. "But most of the fragments were too damaged for me to make much sense of them."
Elder Jin leaned forward slightly, his interest clearly piqued. "Yet Master Zhu valued your assessment enough to show you these fragments after hours, in secret."
"The master archivist has eccentric habits," Lian Wei replied with a slight shrug. "He often works late into the night."
"Indeed." The elder's eyes narrowed. "And now Master Zhu is nowhere to be found, and these fragments have vanished from the repository. A troubling coincidence, wouldn't you agree?"
Lian Wei's heart pounded, but he kept his face impassive. "Most troubling, Elder. Has there been no word of Master Zhu's whereabouts?"
"None," Elder Jin replied, studying Lian Wei intently. "Which brings us to a most pressing question: Did Master Zhu entrust these fragments to you before his... departure?"
There it was—the direct accusation. Deny it, and be caught in a lie if they searched him. Admit it, and face punishment for theft.
*Calculating optimal response based on current variables. Elder Jin's interest in fragments indicates knowledge of their value. Recommendation: Leverage this interest.*
"Elder Jin," Lian Wei began, his mouth suddenly dry, "if I may speak frankly?"
The elder made a permissive gesture. "By all means."
"Master Zhu did entrust some fragments to me for further study," he admitted, causing Jin Cao to smirk triumphantly. "But he was most explicit that they were to be returned to him personally, not to the repository."
"So you admit to possessing stolen sect property?" Elder Jin's voice remained calm, but his eyes hardened.
"I admit to following the instructions of my elder and superior," Lian Wei countered respectfully. "Master Zhu is the authorized custodian of all archive materials. If he chose to allow me to study certain items under his supervision, I assumed this was within his authority."
A tense silence followed this statement. Elder Jin's expression was unreadable as he considered Lian Wei's words.
"And you have these fragments now?" he finally asked.
*Warning: Direct lie increases risk of detection. Elder Jin's energy signature indicates Foundation Establishment Stage 5—capable of detecting significant physiological changes associated with deception.*
Lian Wei nodded slowly. "I do, Elder. Master Zhu instructed me to keep them safe until his return."
"I see." Elder Jin rose from his chair, circling the desk with measured steps. "You will surrender these fragments to me immediately. Master Zhu's... instructions notwithstanding, all sect artifacts must remain under proper supervision."
Lian Wei hesitated, his hand moving unconsciously toward his chest where the fragments rested.
"Unless," Elder Jin continued, his voice suddenly silky, "you believe these particular fragments hold some special value? Something that might make them worth the risk of punishment for theft?"
The question was a trap, carefully laid. If Lian Wei surrendered the fragments too eagerly, it would suggest he knew they were important. If he resisted, it would confirm their value.
*Analyzing Elder Jin's interest patterns. Conclusion: Elder Jin seeks fragments for personal gain, not sect security. Historical precedent: powerful cultivators often seek ancient techniques to break through bottlenecks.*
The insight from the Archaeon Archive gave Lian Wei an idea—a dangerous one, but potentially his only option.
"I believe they hold great historical value, Elder," he said carefully. "But their practical value is questionable. The techniques they describe are fragmentary, incomplete. Without the missing pieces, they're merely curiosities."
"Yet Master Zhu found them worth hiding away, worth showing to an outer disciple in secret," Elder Jin noted, now standing directly before Lian Wei. "Hand them over, and I will consider reducing your punishment for this transgression."
Lian Wei slowly reached into his robe and withdrew the cloth bag. He could feel the fragments within, warm against his palm, as if they were resisting being surrendered. With apparent reluctance, he placed the bag on the desk.
Elder Jin's eyes gleamed as he untied the drawstring and emptied the contents onto the desk's surface. The broken stone pieces scattered across the polished wood, ordinary and unimpressive in appearance.
"This is all of them?" The elder's tone held a note of disappointment as he examined the fragments.
"All that Master Zhu showed me," Lian Wei confirmed, the careful wording of his answer hiding the fact that these were only the pieces the old archivist had given him—not all the fragments that might exist.
Elder Jin picked up one of the larger pieces, turning it in the light. "And you can read these markings?"
"Some of them," Lian Wei admitted. "With difficulty. The script is archaic, and as I said, fragmentary."
The elder set the piece down and fixed Lian Wei with a penetrating stare. "Then perhaps you can be of service. You will transcribe everything you can discern from these fragments. Every symbol, every technique, every theory they contain." His lips curved in a cold smile. "Consider it part of your punishment—and an opportunity to demonstrate your value to the sect beyond failed cultivation attempts."
Lian Wei bowed his head, concealing the spark of hope this unexpected turn had kindled. "As you wish, Elder Jin."
"You will work here, under supervision," the elder continued, gesturing to a smaller desk in the corner of the study. "Jin Cao will provide you with ink and paper. You will not leave until you have extracted every bit of information these fragments contain."
"And Master Zhu?" Lian Wei dared to ask. "Should he return—"
"Master Zhu's whereabouts are no longer your concern," Elder Jin cut him off sharply. "Your concern is following my instructions precisely. Do so, and perhaps your status in the sect might improve. Fail..." He left the threat unspoken.
"I understand, Elder," Lian Wei said, bowing deeply.
"Begin immediately. Jin Cao will oversee your work." With that, Elder Jin swept from the room, taking the two guard disciples with him.
Once his father had departed, Jin Cao's polite façade dropped. He crossed to where Lian Wei stood and jabbed a finger into his chest, precisely where the cloth bag had been hidden.
"I don't know what game you're playing, failure, but I'm watching you," he hissed. "One wrong move, one attempt to hide anything useful in those fragments, and I'll personally ensure you regret it."
"I'm simply following Elder Jin's instructions," Lian Wei replied evenly. "Nothing more."
Jin Cao snorted in disbelief. "Fetch ink and paper from that cabinet," he ordered, pointing to a lacquered piece of furniture against the wall. "And don't touch anything else if you value your hands."
As Lian Wei gathered the writing materials, his mind raced with implications. Elder Jin hadn't punished him as expected—instead, he wanted the knowledge within the fragments. That suggested the elder knew something about their true value, something perhaps even Old Man Zhu hadn't revealed.
*Analysis of current situation complete. Probability of Elder Jin having prior knowledge of Spiral Meridian Cultivation Method: 78%. Possible connection to Master Zhu's disappearance: 92%.*
The Archive's assessment matched Lian Wei's own suspicions. If Elder Jin knew of the fragments' importance, he might have arranged for Old Man Zhu's disappearance—or worse. And now he expected Lian Wei to translate knowledge he couldn't possibly understand without the Archaeon Archive's assistance.
It was both a disaster and an opportunity.
Taking a seat at the small desk, Lian Wei arranged the paper and ink as Jin Cao placed the stone fragments before him with obvious disdain.
"I'll need to examine each piece carefully," Lian Wei said. "The markings are faint, and the stone is weathered."
"Just get on with it," Jin Cao replied, taking a seat several feet away, his eyes never leaving Lian Wei.
Lian Wei picked up the first fragment, one he had already studied the previous night. As he pretended to squint at its surface, the Archaeon Archive immediately highlighted the markings in his vision, translating the archaic symbols into comprehensible terms.
*Fragment 3-A: Partial description of Gallbladder Meridian's junction with Triple Burner Meridian. Critical connection point for Spiral Meridian Method.*
Now came the delicate balancing act. He needed to provide enough accurate information to satisfy Elder Jin while withholding the crucial aspects that would make the technique functional. Too little, and he'd be punished for obstruction. Too much, and he'd hand a powerful technique to someone who had likely orchestrated Old Man Zhu's disappearance.
As the evening deepened into night, Lian Wei carefully transcribed modified versions of the fragment contents—changing key connection points, altering the sequencing of energy circulation, preserving the appearance but corrupting the substance of the technique.
Jin Cao watched him work, occasionally pacing the room in boredom or peering over his shoulder. But the inner disciple couldn't distinguish between accurate and inaccurate translations, having no reference point for the ancient script.
*Warning: Sustained mental exertion approaching host tolerance threshold. Recommend brief rest period.*
The Archive's warning coincided with a wave of fatigue that swept over Lian Wei. He had been working for hours, carefully maintaining the delicate deception while actually learning more about the fragments himself through the Archive's translations.
"I need a moment to rest," he said, putting down his brush. "My eyes are strained from the detailed work."
Jin Cao frowned but checked the time. "Ten minutes," he conceded. "Then you continue until all fragments are transcribed."
Lian Wei nodded, closing his eyes and taking the opportunity to process what he had learned. The fragments contained far more than just cultivation techniques—they held historical references to the time before the Great Fracturing, hinting at powerful abilities cultivators once possessed that had been deliberately forgotten.
One recurring symbol particularly intrigued him—a spiral contained within a square, which the Archive identified as representing the "Foundation Mind Palace," a concept entirely absent from modern cultivation theory.
*Foundation Mind Palace: Mental construct allowing direct manipulation of cultivation base. Critical component of pre-Fracturing advancement methodologies. No modern equivalent exists.*
Such a concept, if real, could revolutionize cultivation practice. Instead of the slow, incremental advancement taught by the sects, cultivators might directly shape their foundation, accelerating growth and eliminating bottlenecks. No wonder Elder Jin was interested in these fragments.
"Time's up," Jin Cao announced. "Back to work."
Lian Wei opened his eyes and reached for another fragment, his fingers brushing its surface as the Archive continued its analysis. But this time, something unexpected happened.
*Warning: Energy signature detected within fragment. Dormant formation structure identified. Possible activation trigger: specific meridian energy.*
The information startled him. These weren't just instructional tablets—they contained actual formations, dormant energy structures waiting to be activated by the right type of cultivation energy. A possibility occurred to him that was both thrilling and terrifying: what if these fragments weren't just recordings of a lost technique, but actual components of a cultivation tool?
A sudden commotion outside interrupted his thoughts. Voices raised in alarm, footsteps hurrying along the corridor. Jin Cao rose to his feet, frowning.
"Stay here," he ordered, moving to the door. "Continue working."
The inner disciple slipped out, leaving Lian Wei momentarily alone with the fragments. It was an unexpected opportunity, but for what? He couldn't escape with Elder Jin's formation arrays surrounding the residence. He couldn't hide the fragments; they were already discovered.
*Recommendation: Initial activation attempt. Channel Gallbladder Meridian energy into Fragment 3-A to test formation response.*
The Archive's suggestion was risky but tempting. If he could activate whatever dormant formation existed within the fragment, it might provide some advantage or insight. But if Jin Cao returned and caught him...
The sounds of disorder outside were growing louder. Something significant was happening in the sect—something that had drawn attention away from him momentarily. It might be his only chance.
Decision made, Lian Wei picked up Fragment 3-A and cupped it in his palms. Closing his eyes, he began circulating energy through his Gallbladder Meridian as he had done earlier that day. The familiar warm current flowed more easily now, responding to his guidance as it traveled up his legs, along his sides, and to his temples.
When the energy reached the terminus point, rather than allowing it to disperse as before, he deliberately channeled it through his palms into the stone fragment.
For a moment, nothing happened. Then the stone grew warm—not the ambient warmth it had displayed before, but a pulsing heat that matched the rhythm of his heartbeat.
*Formation activation detected. Preliminary connection established. Archaeon Archive interface synchronizing with fragment matrix.*
The overlay in his vision shifted, new symbols appearing as the fragment's dormant formation connected with the Archive. Lian Wei watched in fascination as fresh information flowed into his awareness—more complete diagrams of the Spiral Meridian Method, glimpses of cultivation insights lost for millennia, references to other fragments that might complete the technique.
Most importantly, he saw the location of another major fragment—hidden not in the South Repository, but beneath the floor of the North Repository, sealed within a concealed compartment that only the master archivist should know about.
The door burst open, startling Lian Wei so badly he nearly dropped the fragment. Jin Cao stood in the doorway, his face flushed with excitement or alarm.
"The Crimson Cloud Sect is attacking the outer walls," he announced. "All disciples are being called to defensive positions."
Lian Wei carefully set down the fragment, hoping Jin Cao hadn't noticed its brief glow. "The Crimson Cloud Sect? Why would they attack us?"
"Who knows what those heretics think," Jin Cao spat. "They've always envied our spirit stone mine. Father says I'm to bring you to the secure chamber beneath the residence. He doesn't want these fragments left unattended during the attack."
The timing was too convenient to be coincidence. An attack by a rival sect on the very night Lian Wei was questioning the disappearance of Old Man Zhu and studying the ancient fragments? Something didn't add up.
*Analyzing probability matrices. Conclusion: 87% likelihood that Crimson Cloud Sect attack is related to fragment recovery operation. Possible extraction attempt for Master Zhu or additional fragments.*
If the Archive was correct, the attack might not be about spirit stones at all, but about the very knowledge Lian Wei now pursued. Which meant the Crimson Cloud Sect either had their own fragments, or they knew something about the Spiral Meridian Method that made these pieces valuable enough to risk open conflict.
"Hurry up," Jin Cao snapped, gathering the stone pieces and shoving them back into the cloth bag. "The defensive formations will hold them off, but Father wants these secured immediately."
As Lian Wei rose to follow, a distant explosion rocked the residence, causing dust to drift down from the ceiling beams. The Crimson Cloud attack was no minor border skirmish—they were coming in force.
"This way," Jin Cao ordered, heading toward a decorative screen at the back of the study. He pressed specific points on the carved surface, and the screen slid aside to reveal a narrow staircase leading downward.
Lian Wei hesitated, instinct warning him that descending into the depths of Elder Jin's residence during an attack might be stepping from one danger into another. But refusal wasn't an option—not with Jin Cao watching him like a hawk and the fragments now in the inner disciple's possession.
With no better choice, he started down the stairs, the sounds of battle growing more distant with each step. The passageway was illuminated by spirit stones embedded in the walls, casting an eerie blue glow that reminded him of the Archaeon Archive's interface.
*Alert: Multiple energy signatures converging below. Recommend preparation for possible confrontation.*
The warning came just as they reached the bottom of the stairs. A heavy iron door stood before them, inscribed with protective formations that glowed with latent power.
Jin Cao stepped forward, placing his palm against a specific symbol. The door responded to his touch, the formations flaring briefly before the massive panel swung inward without a sound.
"Enter," Jin Cao ordered.
Lian Wei stepped through the doorway into a circular chamber lined with bookshelves and display cases. At its center stood a round table where Elder Jin waited, but he wasn't alone. Three other elders of the Falling Leaf Sect were present, their expressions grave as they turned to observe Lian Wei's entrance.
And there, kneeling on the floor with his hands bound behind his back, was Old Man Zhu—his face bruised, his robes torn and dirty, but his eyes still sharp with defiance.
"Ah, Disciple Wei," Elder Jin's voice was calm despite the chaos unfolding above. "How fortunate that you've joined us. Master Zhu was just about to explain why he's been hiding these valuable cultural artifacts from his sect brothers all these years." His cold smile returned. "Perhaps you'd like to contribute to the discussion?"
Lian Wei's gaze met Old Man Zhu's, and he saw the warning there—along with something else. A barely perceptible nod toward one of the display cases against the wall, where a familiar spiral symbol was carved into a wooden box.
The final pieces of the Spiral Meridian Method were in this very room. But so were four Falling Leaf elders, Jin Cao, and who knew what other dangers. The attack above provided both opportunity and complication.
Whatever happened next would determine not just Lian Wei's fate, but possibly the future of cultivation itself.